Stamping press



April 1949- A. J. GILBERT ET AL 2,4

STAMPING PRESS Filed March 13, 1947 i 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORSAcoN/fls I GILBERT a= CQSPER MEHLUM m BY? AT RNEY A. J. GILBERT ETALApril 26, 1949 I STAMPING PRES S 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1947INVENTORS N/HS JT GILBERT 8:

CI SPER MEHLUM 4 W ATTORNEY April 9. A. J. GILBERT AL 2,468,620

STAMPING PRESS Filed March 13, 1947 5 Shets-Sheet 5 ,qbcwms J GILBERT8=ans/ 5, MEHLUM ATTORN EY Patented Apr. 26, 1949 STAMPING PRESS AdoniasJ. Gilbert, Newtonville, and Casper Mehlum, Waltham, Mass; said Mehlumassignor to said Gilbert Application March 13, 1947, Serial No. 734,486

9 Claims.

This invention relates to stamping presses for the stamping or punchingof strip stock and is directed more particularly to novel and efilcientmeans for feeding strip stock of metal, plastic or other material, toand from stamping or punching dies in such manner that the successiveoperations of the dies are very accurately spaced longitudinally of thestock.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a machine forthe purposes stated which shall be remarkably simple, yet absolutelyaccurate and smoothly operating.

Speaking generally, the feed of stock, according to the presentinvention, is accomplished by a pivoted feeder adapted to be oscillatedabout fixed pivots and so constructed as to grip the strip stock in oneposition, feed. it forwardly, and then return to the initial grippingposition. This feeder has fixed and movable jaws, so constituted thattheir gripping faces remain substantially parallel to the direction offeed of the stock and this precludes crimping of the stock while ingripping cooperation with the jaws.

The machine of this invention further embodies a holding mechanism forgripping and holding the stock during retrograde movement of the feeder,so as to eliminate idle movement of the strip at any time and to holdthe stock stationary as successive portions thereof are acted upon bythe dies.

An important feature of the machine of this invention is that itembodies a single operating cam shaft from which single shaft alloperating parts of the machine are actuated. This shaft actuates saidparts through a series of cams and eccentrics, properly timed so thatthe parts are operated in proper timed synchronized sequence. The use ofa plurality of shafts and a large number of gears heretofore considerednecessary in machines of this general character, is thereby renderedunnecessary and much less power is required to operate the machine thanheretofore.

Features of the invention, other than those adverted to, will beapparent from the herein-v after detailed description and appendedclaims; when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of theinvention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood asillustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine of this invention, certainportions of which are broken away in the interest of clearness.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the machine of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 4 is an elevation of the machine on a somewhat enlarged scale, asviewed from the right hand end of Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure '7 is a section on the line ll of Figure l.

The machine of this invention comprises end frames or standards I and 2which are spaced apart by spacing rails 3, 4, 5, 6, l and 8, theopposite ends of which are bolted to the end frames. Supported on thetwo rails 3 and 4, at one end of the machine, is a table 10 on which ismounted a die couple comprising a fixed die member I l and a movable diemember 12. The movable die member I2 has an upstanding boss I3 to whichis secured one end of an operating lever 14. The lever is pivotedintermediate its ends upon a vertically adjustable standard l5 mountedon the table II), while the other end of said lever is pivoted to anoperating eccentric hereinafter dee scribed.

Mounted on the rails 3 and 4 at the opposite end of the machine is atable Illa which supports a holder 16. This holder comprises a fixed jawI1 and a movable jaw l8. The movable jaw is secured to one end of alever l9 mounted on a pivot 20, while the other end of such lever issecured to a link 2|, operated as hereinafter described. Interposedbetween the table Ilia and the power arm of the lever [B is a spring 22which normally tends to elevate the power arm of the lever and lower themovable jaw 18 into engagement with strip stock S adapted to be passedbetween said jaws.

The strip stock S may be conveniently fed from a feed roll F, indicatedin phantom at the left of the machine in Figure 2 across and above thetables in and Illa to a take-up roll T indicated in the same figure, sothat it is uncoiled from the feed roll, stamped or punched during itspassage through the machine and then coiled upon the take-up roll T.These-rolls F and T may conveniently be in the form of reels, operatedin any suitable manner, the belt t being indicated in Figure 3 as adriving means for the roll T and acting upon'this roll through asuitable friction clutch (not shown).

Extending horizontally from front to back of the machine is a single camshaft 23 supported to rotate in bearings 24 carried by the rails 5 and 6(Figure 3). To the rear end of theshaft is fixed a gear'25 which mesheswith a gear 25 carried by a shaft 2'1. This shaft Z'l is mounted inbearings 28 also fixed on the rails 5 and 6. Mounted on the shaft 2?,which is in effect a countershaft, is a pulley 29 adapted to be drivenby a belt til which is in turn driven by a motor 3i which constitutesthe prime mover of the machine. The gears and 26 are speed reductiongears, so that the machine may be operated to feed the strip S at aconvenient speed. Any other suitable form of drive, such, for example,as a worm and worm Wheel might be used to eliminate the speed reductiongearing show-n, entirely.

On the cam shaft 23 are fixed three cams 32, 33 and 34 and also aneccentrically mounted disk 35 of an eccentric. The eccentric 35 isembraced by the usual strap 3t connected by a conventional pitman 3? tothe power arm of the operating lever i l which operates the die it, sothat the movable member E2 of the die couple will be raised and loweredwith a smooth easy movement. A cam may also be used for this purpose:inlieu of the eccentric 35 which may be conveniently referred to as acam.

The cam 32 is for operating the feeder. It is shown as an eccentrica'llysupported disk adapted to coact with a cam follower 38 mounted onan arm39. The lower end of this arm is pivoted to a plate 9 supported :on rods9a which extend through the rails 1 and =8, as shown best in'Fi-gure l.The upper end of the arm 39 is connected by a link it] to the stripfeeder presently described. The connection between the link it and thearm 39 is shown in detail in Figure 7. Here 'it'will' be noted that thelink 49 carries ablock l! guided in a vertical slot 42 in the upperportion of the arm 39 and a screw' ls passes downwardly through the topof the slot and through the block 44. By rotation of the screw 43, theblock a! maybe raised or lowered to vary the throw of the link and theconsequent throw or travel 'of-the feeder.

The feeder comprises two spaced apart parallel arms 44 and 45, each ofwhich is'pivoted at its lower end to the plate 9, as shown best inFigures 1, 2 and '5. The link Ml is pivoted to the arm 45 which has aseries of'per-forations, any one o f which the pivot of the link. 49 mayoccupy to further the throw of the feeder, as desired.

The arms 44 and 45 extend upwardly to a'poi-nt above the plane of thetable It and carry relatively fixed and movable jaws. The fixed-jaw M5is adapted to lie below the plane of the strip- S while th movable jawll 'lies'a'bove 'thestri-p. The jaw i6 is secured to the arms 44 and ifiby pivots All which pivots are at the same elevation, so that, when thearms are oscillated about their lower pivots, they will form with therail and the fixed jaw 46 a parallelogram, so that the fixed jaw 38 willat all times occupy a horizontal post tion substantially orslightlybelowthe plane of the strip S. The upper jaw #7 has a depending rigid stem49"(see Figures l and! whichextends downwardly through an a'linedperforation in the lower jaw as and has a reduced threaded end hilterminating in a ball 5|. An adjusting "nut 52 is screwed onto thethreaded stem and acts against a spring 53 which normally tends to lowerthe upper jaw 4'! and cause it to grip-the strip S against the lower jaw16 (Figure 5).

Embracing the ball 5! at the lower end of the stem is a socket formed inthe upper end'of a push rod 53. The lower end of this push rod makes aball joint connection M with abracket 55 rigidly secured' to theoutboard end of a lever 1 stock.

phase, thereby permitting the spring 53 to lower the upper jaw 4? of thefeeder into gr ping rela tion, with the strip, so that said strip is fedforw-ar'dly a distance controlled by the adjustment of the screw it ofFigure 7. At the end of the forward movement of the feeder, the highphase 'of the cam .33 engages the cam follower lit and acts upon a pushrod 53 to disengage the feeder jaws from the strip stock, so that,during a return or retrograde movement of the feeder under the pull ofthe spring 38a, the strip is released. The timing is such that, duringthis periodw-lren th strip is released and at rest, the eccentric 35will act uponthe die I 2 to effect the stamping or punching operation.

There is apt to besome drag of the feeder. on the strip during suchretrograde movement and the present invention provides means for holdingthe strip stationary against this drag to provide for accurate stampingor'punching by the die couple. The holder, -indicated at Ill, performsthis function and its movable jaw i8 is controlled by the link '2!hereinbefore referred to. This link is pivoted at its lower end to anarm (is; one .end of which, like the ar-m':58, is pivoted on :a Ifixedrod 6!, while the other end of the arm 60 carries a cam fOllowerBZcoacting with the cam 34 (Figure 1). The cams 33'and 34l are setoppositely so that when the high phase of the cam 33 is cooperating withits follower 59 to release the strip stock during the retrogrademovement of the feeder, the low phase vof the cam 34 will be presentedto its follower 62 to permit the spring 22 to cause the jaw I8 of theholder to grip the In this way the stockis immobilized during thepunching or stamping operation and the coincidentretrograde movement ofthe feeder.

However, as the high phase of the cam 33 leaves its follower F59 andpermits the feeder jaws to grip the stock for the next forward feedthereof, the

high phase of the :cam't l engages its follower 62 and lifts the movablejaw it of the holder free of the stock to permit the stock to be fed. Inthis way the parts are synchronized for intermittent co-relatedoperations, successively coasting with one another to intermittentlyfeed and punch the stock. In practice the machine operates smoothly,without appreciable vibration and with practically no noise except thatincident to ordinary die'operation. .The feed is absolutely'accurate'and uniform.

Thestrip operated upon-thy this invention may be used for a wide varietyof purposes. For'example, we'have employed-it for the cuttingxofrazorblades from stripstock, inwhich operation itis convenient-toynotch'thezedges 'of'the stock and stamp out holes for the safety razorpinsorother holdin deviceaduring continuous operation and thereafter andratsome subsequent operation,separate the thus formed blades from the stripstock. Our experience in thus manipu lating razor blades hasindicated'the remarkable accuracyof the machine of this invention.

The foregoing detailed description" sets forth the invention in its"preferred practical form, but

the invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with theappended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, What we claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for feeding and stamping strip stock comprising: fixed andmovable jaws of a die couple, a feeder having relatively fixed andmovable jaws normally spring impelled to grip the strip, a single camshaft, an eccentric on said shaft with operative connections with themovable member of the die couple, a cam on said shaft with an operativeconnection with the .feeder to move the jaws collectively relative tothe die couple to feed the strip, and another cam on said shaft withoperative connections with the movable jaw of the feeder to release thestrip from the grip of the jaws between feeding operations.

2. A machine for feeding and stamping strip stock comprising: fixed andmovable jaws of a die couple, a feeder having relatively fixed andmovable jaws normally spring impelled to grip the strip, a single camshaft, an eccentric on said shaft with operative connections with themovable member of the die couple, a cam on said shraft with an operativeconnection with the feeder to move the jaws collectively relative to thedie couple to feed the strip, and another cam on said shaft withoperative connections with the movable jaw of the feeder to release thestrip from the grip of the jaws between feeding opertions, incombinations with a normally spring impelled holder to grip the stripbetween feeding operations, and another cam on said shaft withconnections with the holder to release the strip during feedingoperations.

3. A machine for feeding and stamping strip stock comprising: a diecouple embodying relatively fixed and movable members between which thestrip is fed, a feeder embodying fixed and movable jaws between whichthe strip extends, a holder embodying fixed and movable jaws betweenwhich the strip also extends, said die couple, feeder and holder beingarranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the strip, a cam shaftcarrying a plurality of cams, operative connections between the diecouple and one of said cams, an operative connection between the feederand another of said cams, and an operative connection between themovable jaw of the feeder and another of said cams, said cams beingoperable to feed the strip when the die and holder are disengaged fromthe strip and to disengage the feeder from the strip while the diecouple and holder are engaged with the strip.

4. A machine for feeding and stamping strip stock comprising: a diecouple, a feeder embodying relatively fixed and movable jaws mounted onparallel arms of equal length pivoted to a fixed support at a distancefrom the jaws and the fixed jaw being pivoted to the respective arms, astem on the movable jaw extending through and guided in the fixed jawand spring impressed to normally close said jaws, a push rod connectedto said stem for opening said jaws, a cam, a cam follower cooperatingwith said cam and mounted on a pivoted arm having link connection withthe follower to cause said follower to be moved about its pivotalsupport for the purpose of feeding the strip, a second cam acting upon afollower having a leverage connection with the push rod to release thestrip from the grip of the feeder jaws, and means for retracting thefeeder when the strip is thus released, an eccentric connected to thedie couple, and a single cam shaft for supporting and operating both ofsaid cams and the eccentric.

5. A machine for feeding and stamping strip stock comprising: a diecouple, a feeder embodying relatively fixed and movable jaws mounted onparallel arms of equal length pivoted to a fixed. support at a distancefrom the jaws and the fixed jaw being pivoted to the respective arms, astem on the movable jaw extending through and guided in the fixed jawand spring impressed to normally close said jaws, a push rod connectedto said stem for opening said jaws, a'cam, a cam follower cooperatingwith said cam and mounted on a pivoted arm having link connection withthe follower to cause said follower to be vmoved about its pivotalsupports for the purpose of feeding the strip, a second cam acting upona follower having a leverage connection with the push rod to release thestrip from the grip of the feeder jaws, means for retracting the feederwhen the strip is thus released, an eccentric connectedto the diecouple, a single cam shaft for supporting and operating both of saidcams and the eccentric, a third cam also on said cam shaft having a camfollower, a holder for normally gripping the strip, and connectionsbetween the holder and the last mentioned cam follower for releasing thestrip while the latter is fed by the feeder.

6. A machine for feeding and stamping strip stock comprising: a camshaft, an eccentric on said shaft, a lever connected to said eccentric,a die connected to the lever to act upon the strip, a cam on said camshaft, a cam follower coacting with said cam, a holder controlled bysaid follower for gripping and immobilizing the strip while it is actedupon by the die, a second cam on said cam shaft having a followercoacting therewith, a pivoted arm on which the latter follower issupported, a link secured to said arm, and a feeder secured to thedistant end of said link to feed the strip to the die, a spring forretracting the feeder in the opposite direction, said feeder carrying apair of relatively movable jaws, and a third cam on the cam shaft withoperative connections between it and said relatively movable jaws tocause them to engage and grip the strip and feed the same when thefeeder is advanced in one direction and to disengage the jaws from thestrip when the feeder is retracted in the opposite direction.

7. A machine for feeding and stamping strip stock comprising: a camshaft, an eccentric on said shaft, a lever connected to said eccentric,a die connected to the lever to act upon the strip, a cam on said camshaft, a cam follower coacting with said cam, a holder controlled bysaid follower for gripping and immobilizing the strip while it is actedupon by the die, a second cam on said cam shaft having a followercoacting therewith, a pivoted arm on which the latter follower issupported, a link secured to said arm, a feeder secured to the distantend of said link to feed the strip to the die, a spring for retractingthe feeder in the opposite direction, said feeder carrying a pair ofrelatively movable jaws, and a third cam on the cam shaft with operativeconnections between it and said relatively movable jaws to cause them toengage and grip the strip and feed the same when the feeder is advancedin one direction and to disengage the jaws from the strip when thefeeder is retracted in the opposite direction, and means for adjustingthe throw of the feeder aeeegaao 7 to vary the length of strip'ied atea-ch'ioperation thereof.

8. A machine for feeding and stamping strip stock comprising: a diecouple, a lever for operating said coup'le,.a pairlof' re'lativel'ymovable jaws for feeding strip stock between the couple, parallel arms:mounted'on-spaced" apart pivots on a fixed support and pivoted "toonezofssaid jaws with the pivots of the jaws spacedapart "the samedistance as the pivots. of the arms and the pivots on both arms beingequally spaced apart, :means for'oscillating said arms to move the jawsalong the'path offeed of the strip, meansior forcing the jaws togetherto grip and feed the-strip one direction, and means to separate the jawsduring oscillation of the arms inxa retrograde direction.

*9. A machine for feeding and stampingstrip stock comprising: a diecouple, alever i'oroperating said-couple, a pair of relatively movablejaws for feeding strip stock between the couple, parallel arms mountedon spaced apart-pivots on a fixed support and pivoted to oneof'said-ja-ws with the REFERENCES CITED 'The following references are ofrecord in'the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 641,333 Saltzkorn Jan. 16, 1900838,340 Leroy Dec. 11, 1906 1,344,492 Edgar June 22; 1920 2,359,140Meitner Sept. 26, I944

